Moog presents RIwP with 30×173 mm cannon to the UK

Moog has presented a new configuration of its Reconfigurable Integrated-weapons Platform (RIwP) armed with a beefed up 30×173 mm Bushmaster Mk 44 cannon during a counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) exhibition in the UK. “This specific RIwP variant is a low-risk solution and has already gone through live fire exercises with the US Army,” the July 31 press release explains.

The new cannon is fitted instead of the 30×113 mm cannon previously displayed by Moog on the RIwP for the UK’s requirements. The 30×113 mm cannon has been adopted for service in the air defence role by the US Army and is fitted to its Sergeant Stout air defence vehicles as the XM914. It is a capable cannon in the air defence role, especially when armed with proximity fuzed ammunition. However, with a length of 3.4 metres, the Mk 44 has a much longer barrel than the XM914, which is 2.1 metres long.

It also fires the much larger 30×173 mm cartridge, which propels the Mk310 Programmable Air Burst Munition to 970 metres per second, compared to 805 m/s for the LW30 XM1211 proximity fuzed round. The projectiles weigh 438 g and 230 g respectively, which overall means that the Mk 44 can deliver larger rounds at higher muzzle velocities, which should result in greater lethality per shot and more effective interceptions. Some of the key specifications of the XM1211, Mk310 and the cannons that fire them are summarised in the table below:

So, the Mk44 provides a bigger gun that can fire larger ammunition faster, and more accurately. It can also fire armour piercing fin-stabilised discarding sabot ammunition, which would give the carrier vehicle a potent weapon to engage other armoured vehicles. “We look forward to demonstrating the capabilities of RIwP further across a range of mission sets for the British Army,” Richard Allen-Miles, EMEA Capture Lead at Moog, said. This statement, and others in the press release, indicate that Moog might be aiming the RIwP at other use cases within the British Army. One potential example is the hoped for infantry fighting vehicle of the Boxer armoured infantry vehicle. 

RIwP has previously been demonstrated on Supacat and KNDS vehicles armed variously with Starstreak air defence missiles, and a combination of the 30×113 mm cannon and air defence missiles. Moog previously indicated that the turret was designed to provide a combined air defence capability, blending both short-range air defence (SHORAD) against larger drones, helicopters and jets, with the C-UAS requirement through the 30 mm cannon. The British Army, however, has indicated that it wants the two to be separate, with a dedicated C-UAS capability. 

The British Army’s 7 Air Defence Group held a C-UAS expo at its home barracks on Thorney Island on July 16 and 17. A number of industry representatives were present, including MSI Defence Systems, which presented the concept of “TEAM UK C-UAS’ initiative – a joint-effort by leading British private enterprises in the C-UAS defence technology space,” the company states on its website. TEAM UK C-UAS currently includes MSI-Defence Systems Ltd. Supacat, SAAB UK, MBDA, Openworks Engineering, Cambridge Pixel, and MindFoundry. EOS also presented its Slinger remote weapon station, which was integrated onto an MRAP as well as part of the NiDAR C-UAS command and control system from MARSS. All of these companies are positioning themselves for the British Army’s Ground Based Air Defence Programme, which includes a requirement for a dedicated C-UAS capability, a SHORAD platform, longer-range systems as well as command and control. 

Calibre comment

The UK has a rich seam of C-UAS companies offering a range of capabilities that should position it to capably address the need for counter-drone solutions. However, there is limited budget available for the MoD and many different capabilities that must be procured, from assault rifles to F-35As. There may, therefore, be value in procuring capabilities that can address different needs, as well as the C-UAS element. The Mk 44 could potentially deliver this multi-function lethality, providing that it is equipped with the right ammunition. 

By Sam Cranny-Evans, published on August 5, 2025. Credit for the lead image is Moog and it shows the RIwP with the beefed up Mk 44.